Billing code
E032C — Anaesthesia Service For Z491, Z492, Z493, Z494, Z495, Z496, Z497, Z498, Z499, Z555 Or Z580
Anaesthesia for colonoscopy
Bill E032C (4 basic units plus time units) for an anaesthesiologist's deep sedation, general or regional anaesthesia for colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.
Watch for: Procedural sedation doesn't qualify, and it isn't paid when the physician doing the scope also gives the anaesthetic.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $63.84 | $63.84 |
- Code
- E032C
- Description
- Anaesthesia Service For Z491, Z492, Z493, Z494, Z495, Z496, Z497, Z498, Z499, Z555 Or Z580
- FHO+ basket
- Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
- Effective date
- Apr 1, 2026
- Termination date
- No end date
Explanation
Updated October 26, 2026
Anaesthesia for colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (Z491–Z499, Z555, Z580): 4 basic units plus time units, billed by the anaesthesiologist.
What it covers
E032C is the anaesthesia service for the colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy codes Z491–Z499, Z555 and Z580. It replaces the listed basic and time units for anaesthesia for these procedures (GP100).
Anaesthesia here means a service other than local infiltration, topical anaesthesia or procedural sedation, for example deep sedation, general or regional anaesthesia given by an anaesthesiologist (GP100).
Billing rules
- Bill as E032C: 4 basic units plus time units (GP100).
- Time units start when the anaesthesiologist is first in attendance with the patient in the OR to begin anaesthesia and end when the patient can safely be placed under customary post-operative supervision; 1 unit per 15 minutes in the first hour, 2 units per 15 minutes up to 1.5 hours, 3 units after that (GP93).
- Anaesthesia extra units listed on GP97 are payable with E032C (GP100).
- Procedural sedation, local infiltration or topical anaesthesia do not qualify (GP100).
- E003C is not payable for anaesthesia for Z491–Z499, Z555 or Z580 (S15, S18).
- Not payable when the physician doing the colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy also gives the anaesthetic (GP100).
Often billed with
- E400C or E401C after-hours anaesthesia premiums when the case starts in those periods (GP94).
Related codes: E023, Z491, Z496, Z497, Z555, Z580
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), General Preamble, Anaesthesiologists' Services, page GP100.
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